The land of SweetWood Temenos was greening up. The month of April had been dry. But the week before Beltaine we received rain and the weather became cooler. Temperatures were a bit below normal upper 50’s and low 60’s. So we were hoping for a warmer and sunnier day for our Beltaine celebration on Saturday May 2nd.

Come Saturday it became partly sunny with temperatures in the mid 60’s. The land was greening up; everything had a green tinge to it. The wild plum was starting to bloom.

The priest (me) did some grounds keeping, prepared the circle for the ritual and feast afterwards. Oak firewood and kindling was brought to circle. The priestess, my spouse readied the ritual items and our contributions to the potluck feast. I went to the local spring and collected spring water for the ritual. From there I went about collecting wild plum flowers for the ritual.

By Mid afternoon 10 good folk and two young children had gathered for the Beltaine celebration at SweetWood Temenos. It was a bit warmer in the woods, the skies had cleared and there was a wind blowing. The priest (me) got dressed for the ritual – Sky clad. The Altar was set and the spring water was pour into the SweetWood Temenos cauldron from which the ritual water will be drawn.

The circle was cast and the Maypole that was placed in the South was now upon the ground in the circle. The men took the Maypole to a place in the woods for a men’s mystery blessing of the pole with anointing oil and prayers. The women tied ribbons to the solar disc with prayers and blessings. Then the women with bells and a joyous noise called the God to come and the men brought the phallic pole back to the circle.

The phallic pole slid into the yoni, sacred opening of the sun disc decorated with ribbons and hoisted into the air. The good folk each grabbed a ribbon, with half going clockwise and the others going counterclockwise. Around and around we all went, dancing, laughing and singing, “love, love, love, love, making magic we make love, God and Goddess intertwine, we are Divine. There was some playful affectionate behavior that made all smile and laugh and charged our knot magic that bonded the good folk to the land through the sacred marriage of the Goddess and God symbolized by the Maypole.

The Circle was taken down and the Maypole was then moved from the circle center to its place in the south. A fire was built then upon the center of the sacred circle and the feast started. Good company and conservation followed with good food and drink. Blessed be!